Attacking Defenses with Triple Option Complementary Plays and Play Action Passes from Multiple Formations

Ken James Northwood High School kenjames@northwood.k12.oh.us

Triple Option Complementary Running Plays: General Principles

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If Defenses are chasing down the option or blitzing toward motion, you must have a sound running play or plays to hit them in the opposite Direction. For us they are the Fullback Trap, Slotback or Halfback Counter, and the Counter Option. All three plays hit away from the Quarterbacks and Fullbacks initial movement, and they also hit away from any motion that might be used.

FB Trap

Slotback Counter:

Counter Option

In all of our game planning, we try to have answers for anything the defense can throw at us. This way, we dont panic if something unexpected occurs. y Here is an example of one of our answers; y Belly:
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We developed this play as an answer to defenses that were trying to crash linemen on the dive back and scrape LBs or safeties off on the QB. Again, it can be run from multiple formations and gives us a power off tackle play that is excellent in short yardage.

I Formation

Wishbone

Shotgun

Play Action Passing: General Principles

Be concerned with efficiency above all else. The objective is to possess the ball and then score. Style points dont show up on the scoreboard y Consider protection first y Find a big play guy to put at SE (maybe a small, quick backup RB). If the defense has to get the safeties involved in the run game, your fast guy will get one on one coverage
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Use west coast or run and shoot principles:

Vs. zone-expand the umbrella and settle down in open areas Vs. man-keep moving Make sure that two receivers are never in the same area unless they are crossing vs. man coverage. Always attack the defenders technique

Teach QB and Receivers to identify and understand coverage. If they know what route adjustments need to be made, the ball can be delivered sooner. This makes protection less of an issue.

Example: Verticals vs. man coverage

Protection
FSG to BST will block backside gap. This puts them in an advantageous position. y FST base blocks vs. odd front, blocks backside gap vs. even front
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Example:

Dive back will fill frontside A or B y Pitch man will block DE

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Blocking sets up for QB draw if everyone is covered. It also is similar to our dropback protection from our off-tackle play. This creates simplicity and allows for better execution. It also prevents the defense from getting a good read on the play.

From the wishbone, the FSH can block the DE. This will look like your load blocking scheme and allow the pitch man to run a route to influence the CB or SS.

Base Patterns:
Typically two-man combination routes. Use a variety of formations to get receivers into position.

Verticals:
IS Read route (reads FS) hitch, post, fly, (Fly vs. man) OS Fly, unless CB bails hard. If you cant get even with him, turn it into a 12-yard out.

Examples:

BS WR runs a flash route unless given a route. QB has license to throw to him if the DB is off and there is no WS flat defender. y Since he is behind the LOS, OL can block the LBs. This really looks like a running play, so the Defense cannot get a read on it.
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Post Wheel
Used vs. 2 deep It looks like the blocking scheme.

Its important that the FSH attacks the downfield shoulder of CB to get deep. If CB bails, hook up.

Weakside Routes
Typically need to get one on one (Flash) or take advantage of an overactive safety. Example: Post

FS receivers run fly patterns to occupy deep defenders

 Example: Post Seam

 Versus man coverage, we run bunch routes in order to rub off defenders. Example: Slant Seam

Bootleg Pass Action

Protection: BST, Center, FSG block playside gap. FST blocks second lineman from the end. BSG blocks the end man on the line of scrimmage. Dive back fills for the BSG.

I Formation

Wishbone

Shotgun

Bootleg Routes
These are basically the same as a wing-T waggle play, but different people may be running the routes from different locations. We are trying to create vertical stretch, so we have someone deep and someone underneath.

I Formation

Wishbone

Shotgun

Waggle Pass Action

Protection:
x x x x BST, BSG, and Center block playside gap. FST blocks second lineman from the end. FSG blocks the end man on the line of scrimmage. Dive back fills for the FSG. If no defender shows, he will run a flat route at 5 yds